Behavioral and Emotional Disorders

Children with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) sometimes develop behavioral and/or emotional disorders. These can be the direct result of brain injury to the portions of the brain that control emotional regulation, or they may stem from other issues, such as frustration at particular limitations, social situations, or other disability-related concerns. The severity of the behavioral or emotional disorder can vary with the severity of the condition and the degree of limitation that the child has.

Types of behavioral and emotional issues that are associated with HIE

Research has suggested that HIE may be associated with a higher risk of the following behavioral and emotional conditions (1, 2):

Addressing behavioral and emotional disorders

There are a variety of different interventions that may benefit children with behavioral and emotional disorders:

Talk therapy, including:

Cognitive therapy, which seeks to reduce negative thought patterns, such as a tendency to see minor issues as catastrophes. It isn’t just about “thinking positively” – cognitive therapy teaches patients strategies for how to avoid dwelling on problems and helps them control how they perceive different situations.

Behavioral therapy, which focuses on “unlearning” harmful attitudes and behaviors. When young children participate in behavioral therapy, it may involve a reward system (3).

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), a combination of the two aforementioned therapies, which focuses on how thoughts, beliefs, and attitudes can influence behaviors and emotions (4). For children with behavioral and emotional disorders, CBT may involve training in social skills such as making eye contact and initiating conversation (3). It can also help kids cope with issues like ADHD, anxiety, and depression (5).

Family counseling, which may help the child’s family members process their own feelings and work towards finding solutions to household conflicts and behavioral difficulties.

Group therapy, in which a trained counselor works with several children at once, giving them the opportunity to learn from one another and realize they are not alone in their struggles. Group therapy can also help children improve their social skills (3).

Psychopharmacologic treatments: In some cases, children struggle even with therapy. Some may benefit from psychopharmacological medications, i.e. prescription drugs. In order to determine whether medication may be necessary/beneficial for your child, it is important to consult with a pediatrician. They can help to determine which interventions will be the least risky and most effective (6).

Behavioral and emotional disorders: additional resources

For further information on help for children with behavioral and emotional disorders, check out the following resources:

About the HIE Help Center and ABC Law Centers

The HIE Help Center is run by ABC Law Centers, a medical malpractice firm exclusively handling cases involving HIE and other birth injuries. Our lawyers have over 100 years of combined experience with this type of law, and have been advocating for children with HIE and related disabilities since the firm’s inception in 1997.

We are passionate about helping families obtain the compensation necessary to cover their extensive medical bills, loss of wages (if one or both parents have to miss work in order to care for their child), assistive technology, and other necessities.

If you suspect your child’s HIE may have been caused by medical negligence, please contact us today to learn more about pursuing a case. We provide free legal consultations, during which we will inform you of your legal options and answer any questions you have. Moreover, you would pay nothing throughout the entire legal process unless we obtain a favorable settlement.

You are also welcome to reach out to us with inquiries that are not related to malpractice. We cannot provide individualized medical advice, but we’re happy to track down informational resources for you.

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The HIE Help Center serves as an informational resource guide for families of children with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). It is sponsored by ABC Law Centers, a birth trauma law firm that has represented families of children with HIE and other birth injuries for over 20 years.

The HIE Help Centers team is doing everything we can to ensure the health and well-being of our staff amidst the COVID-19 outbreak. In an effort to protect our staff, we have decided to move to a remote system. We remain fully equipped to operate and will continue without interruption to offer resources online and serve our clients. We are, as always, available to answer any questions and concerns either online or via telephone 24/7.